English Language

English Grammar and Usage

2,780 Questions

English grammar and usage questions test fundamental sentence structure, correct verb forms, and accurate syntax. Topics include identifying grammatical errors, filling blanks with appropriate verbs, and changing narration. These are essential for the English language sections of competitive exams.

Verb FormsSentence CorrectionTense IdentificationNarration ChangeRelative PronounsSyntactic Productivity

English Grammar and Usage Questions

Multiple choice dash and hyphen punctuation english

Give me the keys to the house ... can you do that ... I've left some things behind.

Choose the option that best corrects the sentence.

  1. Give me the keys to the house; can you do that; I've left some things behind.

  2. Give me the keys to the house - can you do that? I've left some things behind.

  3. Give me the keys to the house - can you do that? - I've left some things behind.

  4. NO CHANGE
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation
Parentheses is used to add additional information to a sentence. However, a pair of em dashes can replace a pair of parentheses, if the content is less formal.
In the given sentence, a pair of em dashes should be used for the parenthetical element, in place of ellipsis. A pair o ellipsis is used to indicate omission or trailing off thought.
Thus, the correct answer is Option C. The remaining options are incorrect.
Multiple choice dash and hyphen punctuation english

I wish the trains ran on time - but why complain about things that can't change?

Choose the option that best corrects the sentence.

  1. NO CHANGE

  2. I wish the trains ran on time; but why complain about things that can't change?

  3. I wish the trains ran on time ... but why complain about things that can't change!

  4. I wish the trains ran on time: but why complain about things that can't change?
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation
According to general rule, the em dash can be used in place of a colon or semi colon, when we want to emphasize at the conclusion of a sentence. In the given sentence, the speaker clearly wants to emphasize on the conclusion of the sentence, that explains his/her views. 
Thus, the correct answer is Option A, no change.
Option B is also incorrect, as an ellipsis is used to indicate omission or trailing off thought.
Multiple choice dash and hyphen punctuation english

A book, some food and water, and a cell phone are things, the only things, you will need if you were stranded on an island.

Choose the option that best corrects the sentence.

  1. A book, some food and water, and a cell phone are things, the only things - you will need if you were stranded on an island.

  2. A book, some food and water, and a cell phone are things - the only things you will need if you were stranded on an island.

  3. A book, some food and water, and a cell phone are things - the only things - you will need if you were stranded on an island.

  4. NO CHANGE
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation
According to general rule, em dashes are used to set off parenthetical information, as using em dashes, on both sides, puts the focus on the information between the em dashes. 
Thus, in the given sentence, the use of em dash, Option C, will be correct.
Option A and B are incorrect - As a rule, a pair of em dashes should be used to set off parenthetical elements.
Option D is incorrect, as em dashes serve as harder versions of commas, they can be used to replace commas in the given sentence.
Multiple choice dash and hyphen punctuation english

Friend, father, counselor; he was all these things to me.

Choose the option that best corrects the sentence.

  1. NO CHANGE

  2. Friend, father, counselor ... he was all these things to me.

  3. Friend, father, counselor (he was all these things to me).

  4. Friend, father, counselor - he was all these things to me.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation
According to general rule, the em dash is often used to resume a scattered subject in a sentence. Thus, the correct answer in the given sentence must be Option D.
Option A is incorrect. A semi colon is used to connect two independent clauses in a sentence.
Option B is incorrect. A ellipsis is used to indicate omission or trailing off thought.
Option C is incorrect. A pair of parentheses is used to add additional information in a sentence.
Multiple choice dash and hyphen punctuation english

Choose the option that best corrects the sentence:
Reading, especially a good book - can be a very absorbing activity.

  1. Reading, especially a good book; can be a very absorbing activity.

  2. Reading - especially a good book - can be a very absorbing activity.

  3. Reading - especially a good book, can be a very absorbing activity.

  4. NO CHANGE
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation
According to general rule, em dashes are used to set off parenthetical information, as using em dashes, on both sides, puts the focus on the information between the em dashes. 
Thus, in the given sentence, the use of em dash, Option B, will be correct.
Option C and D are incorrect - As a rule, a pair of em dashes should be used to set off parenthetical elements.
Option A is incorrect, as em dashes serve as harder versions of commas and semi colons, they can be used to replace commas in the given sentence.
Multiple choice dash and hyphen punctuation english

Choose the option that best corrects the sentence.

He was planning to paint the house, or was he, when the roof caved in.

  1. NO CHANGE

  2. He was planning to paint the house; or was he? when the roof caved in.

  3. He was planning to paint the house - or was he? - when the roof caved in.

  4. He was planning to paint the house, or was he - when the roof caved in.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation
According to general rule, em dashes are used to set off parenthetical information, as using em dashes, on both sides, puts the focus on the information between the em dashes. 
Thus, in the given sentence, the use of em dash, Option C, will be correct.
Option A and B are incorrect, as em dashes serve as harder versions of commas an semi colons, they can be used to replace commas in the given sentence.
Option D is incorrect - As a rule, a pair of em dashes should be used to set off parenthetical elements.
Multiple choice dash and hyphen punctuation english

Tim, Jane, Theodore and Heather - all decided to play tennis last evening.

Choose the option that best corrects the sentence.

  1. Tim, Jane, Theodore and Heather; all decided to play tennis last evening.

  2. Tim, Jane, Theodore and Heather: all decided to play tennis last evening.

  3. Tim, Jane, Theodore and Heather (all decided to play tennis last evening).

  4. NO CHANGE
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation
According to general rule, the em dash is often used to resume a scattered subject in a sentence. Thus, the correct answer in the given sentence must be Option D, no change.
Option A is incorrect. A semi colon is used to connect two independent clauses in a sentence.
Option B is incorrect. A colon is used to introduce a list of items in a sentence.
Option C is incorrect. A pair of parentheses is used to add additional information in a sentence.
Multiple choice dash and hyphen punctuation english

Choose the option that best corrects the underlined words.

The old man - the one with the walking stick - crossed the road slowly.

  1. NO CHANGE

  2. man - the one with the walking stick;

  3. man - the one with the walking stick:

  4. man, the one with the walking stick;
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation
According to general rule, em dashes are used to set off parenthetical information, as using em dashes, on both sides, puts the focus on the information between the em dashes. 
Thus, in the given sentence, the use of em dash, Option A, will be correct.
Option B and C are incorrect - As a rule, a pair of em dashes should be used to set off parenthetical elements.
Option D is incorrect, as em dashes serve as harder versions of commas, they can be used to replace commas and semi colons in a sentence.
Multiple choice dash and hyphen punctuation english

Choose the option that best corrects the underlined part of the sentence:
She brought her umbrella: the red and black one: to the party with her.

  1. umbrella, the red and black one:

  2. umbrella - the red and black one -

  3. umbrella; the red and black one;

  4. NO CHANGE
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation
According to general rule, em dashes are used to set off parenthetical information, as using em dashes, on both sides, puts the focus on the information between the em dashes. 
Thus, in the given sentence, the use of em dash, Option C, will be correct.
The remaining options are incorrect.
Multiple choice dash and hyphen punctuation english

Choose the option that best corrects the underlined word:
I lived fearfully then; but why regret the past?

  1. then -

  2. then:

  3. then,

  4. NO CHANGE
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation
According to general rule, the em dash can be used in place of a colon or semi colon, when we want to emphasize at the conclusion of a sentence. In the given sentence, the speaker clearly wants to emphasize on the conclusion of the sentence. 
Thus, the correct answer is Option A.
.
Multiple choice dash and hyphen punctuation english

Choose the option that best corrects the sentence:
While I was out playing badminton: trying to forget my poor exam scores, I turned my ankle and injured it.

  1. NO CHANGE

  2. While I was out playing badminton - trying to forget my poor exam scores - I turned my ankle and injured it.

  3. While I was out playing badminton, trying to forget my poor exam scores; I turned my ankle and injured it.

  4. While I was out playing badminton, trying to forget my poor exam scores - I turned my ankle and injured it.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation
According to general rule, em dashes are used to set off parenthetical information, as using em dashes, on both sides, puts the focus on the information between the em dashes. 
Thus, in the given sentence, the use of em dash, Option B, will be correct.
The remaining options are incorrect. A semi colon and comma is used to connect two independent clauses. A colon is used between clauses when the second clause illustrates or explains the first.


Multiple choice dash and hyphen punctuation english

Choose the option that best corrects the given sentence:
Friends, Romans, countrymen: lend me your ears.

  1. NO CHANGE

  2. Friends, Romans, countrymen; lend me your ears.

  3. Friends, Romans, countrymen - lend me your ears.

  4. Friends, Romans, countrymen (lend me your ears).
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation
According to general rule, the em dash is often used to resume a scattered subject in a sentence. Thus, the correct answer in the given sentence must be Option C.
Option A is incorrect. A colon is used to introduce a list of items in a sentence.
Option B is incorrect. A semi colon is used to connect two independent clauses in a sentence.
Option D is incorrect. A pair of parentheses is used to add additional information in a sentence.
Multiple choice dash and hyphen punctuation english

Choose the option that best corrects the given sentence:
Southampton, Cherbourg and Queenstown: were the ports the Titanic embarked from and stopped at on her maiden voyage.

  1. Southampton, Cherbourg and Queenstown ... were the ports the Titanic embarked from and stopped at on her maiden voyage.

  2. Southampton, Cherbourg and Queenstown - were the ports the Titanic embarked from and stopped at on her maiden voyage.

  3. Southampton, Cherbourg and Queenstown; were the ports the Titanic embarked from and stopped at on her maiden voyage.

  4. NO CHANGE
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation
According to general rule, the em dash is often used to resume a scattered subject in a sentence. Thus, the correct answer in the given sentence must be Option B.
Option A is incorrect. An ellipsis is used to indicate omission or trailing off thought.
Option C is incorrect. A semi colon is used to connect two independent clauses in a sentence.
Option D is incorrect. A colon is used to introduce a list of items in a sentence.

Multiple choice dash and hyphen punctuation english

Choose the option that best corrects the sentence. 

I prefer working in the morning to working in the evening; but why state a preference if you don't have a choice.

  1. I prefer working in the morning to working in the evening: but why state a preference if you don't have a choice.

  2. I prefer working in the morning to working in the evening - but why state a preference if you don't have a choice.

  3. I prefer working in the morning to working in the evening (but why state a preference if you don't have a choice?)

  4. NO CHANGE
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation
According to general rule, the em dash can be used in place of a colon or semi colon, when we want to emphasize at the conclusion of a sentence. In the given sentence, the speaker clearly wants to emphasize on the conclusion of the sentence. 
Thus, the correct answer is Option B.
Option C is also incorrect, as a pair pf parentheses is used to add additional but non essential information in a sentence.
Multiple choice dash and hyphen punctuation english

Choose the option that best corrects the sentence:
(Line 1) Because some members of the ballet company were absent, the dir
(Line 2) ector decided to re pair the dancers and perform the show.

  1. NO CHANGE

  2. Because some members of the ballet company were absent, the dir-
    ector decided to re-pair the dancers and perform the show.

  3. Because some members of the ballet company were absent, the dir
    ector decided to re-pair the dancers and perform the show.

  4. Because some members of the ballet company were absent, the dir-
    ector decided to repair the dancers and perform the show.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation
When flowing text, it is sometimes preferable to break a word in half so that it continues on another line rather than moving the entire word to the next line. 
The word may be divided at the nearest break point between syllables, and a hyphen inserted to indicate that the letters form a word fragment, rather than a full word.
Compound words are connected using en dash.
According to the following rules, the correct form of writing the sentence is, as given in Option B.